Norfolk Southern dedicates new regional intermodal facility

Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster joined federal, state and local officials June 11 to officially dedicate the Franklin County Regional Intermodal Facility in Pennsylvania.

The $97-million terminal, located on 200 acres south of Greencastle and less than a mile from Interstate 81, connects Central Pennsylvania, Western Maryland and Northern Virginia to domestic and world markets while creating 126 jobs at the site. The facility, a public-private partnership involving $52 million in NS funds and supported by a $45-million investment by Pennsylvania, is part of NS' Crescent Corridor series of projects, a 2,500-mile network of rail and terminals that helps moderate truck traffic on congested roadways and reduce carbon emissions.

"This terminal represents a milestone for Norfolk Southern and Franklin County," Moorman said. "It is creating jobs here in Central Pennsylvania, positioning Norfolk Southern as the green transportation choice and serving the region's freight transportation needs. This important endeavor would not be possible without the dedicated support of people in Washington, Harrisburg and here in Franklin County."

The terminal, with its 670 paved trailer/container parking spots, will be a major gateway for freight in the Mid-Atlantic. NS projects that the new facility, in combination with other NS intermodal terminals in the state, will help divert hundreds of thousands of long-haul trucks off roadways in Pennsylvania and onto trains.

"This intermodal terminal is a huge investment in Franklin County's future," said Shuster, chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. "These facilities are proven centers of business growth and I am sure it will create many opportunities for Franklin County and the region. I have long supported freight rail because of its efficiency and see this terminal as a vital infrastructure improvement."

The Franklin County Regional Intermodal Facility is the third Crescent Corridor intermodal terminal NS has opened since mid-2012, with facilities in Birmingham and Memphis having started last year. A fourth Crescent Corridor intermodal terminal, located in Charlotte, will open later this year. NS also is expanding capacity at two intermodal terminals in Harrisburg.